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A 1996 study of all anadromous or ocean-going fish stocks in British Columbia and Yukon documented that 142 separate stocks or runs have already gone extinct out of a total of 9,662. In the United States, which has endured far more human impacts to Steelhead and salmon rivers and their watersheds, have lost over 400 indigenous stocks (29%) of the 1400 that originally existed. The majority of remaining native salmon and steelhead runs are endangered or highly threatened with vanishing forever...

Every year more and more trout fisherman are learning that they have been missing out for years not swinging flies for steelhead. However as more people are drawn to the sport, those of us that have been steelheading our entire lives have been in search of more challenging situations with a spey rod. These are the trips that I like the most. I host trips around the world where great challenges equals great rewards. This winter I am hosting a trip to just such a location.

Although people have been targeting kings on a fly for many years it is becoming quite apparent that what we thought we knew 20 years ago was mostly incorrect. In modern fly fishing we are constantly redefining what is considered “fly water” or a “fly species” every day. Advances in technology, techniques, and a better understanding of fish in general has allowed us to start targeting fish successfully in waters that were often overlooked or once considered impossible on the fly.

We just completed our first week guiding at Rainbow Alley fishing the sockeye fry bust. As the year old smolts migrate down river, and the fry hatchlings emerge from the gravel , the large lake rainbow trout residents move into the alley to ferociously feed.

The fry migrate mostly in the morning and evening so we base our day around hitting the peak fishing hours. That means an early morning fish from 6am-10am and back to camp for a hearty breakfast. After a siesta and some...

Low and behold the Bulkley River has been blessed by the grace of God a low water year. How does that translate to fishing you ask? When you figure out where they are hiding it is incredible. Fishing low water has usually been pure joy for our guide team. To see runs that we haven’t been able to fish since 2008 has been exciting, exhilarating, and very productive.

Fishing in low water is challenging but with the proper mindset you can be very successful. Fly selection is key as it...